Claypool Town Council Hears From K21, Amends Parking Ordinance
December 18, 2019 at 11:42 p.m.
By Alaister McFarren-
Haddad spoke on K21’s financial pledges to incorporated Kosciusko County towns like Claypool, which is to go toward projects with a focus on the health and wellbeing for each town’s inhabitants.
“We at K21 want to show that we are about all of Kosciusko, not just Warsaw and Winona Lake,” Haddad said. “We’re pledging $200,000 to show our commitment.”
Haddad continued on to say that, other than asking that it be health and safety focused, K21 is not putting heavy restrictions on the pledge; they want the funds to be used on whatever each town believes is most important.
“Use it for what is best for Claypool residents,” said Haddad. “Some towns might want safer playgrounds, redone sidewalks or pathways to schools. You could also use the money to start up new programs.”
He said that although requests can come from nonprofits, schools and churches, K21 will look to the town council to be the final authority for what projects get the green light.
There is currently no deadline for using the funds. Haddad encouraged the council to gather the people of Claypool and see what they would most like to see done.
The council also passed a new ordinance regarding parking on Main Street between Calhoun and Section Streets. Going forward, parking will no longer be business-only.
“Parking will operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” said Council President Niki Miller. “Parking will be prohibited between 4 and 6 in the morning between November and April for snow removal.”
She added that penalties for failing to move a vehicle for snow removal would be $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second and $75 plus all legal expenses for a third offense and beyond.
Town Marshal Ben Sanders spoke on several grants that the police department had received. The first, from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, is a four-year $75,500 grant that will go toward the salary for a full-time deputy marshal, mobile radios, portable radios and bulletproof tactical vests.
For the deputy marshal position, which had recently been removed by the council to create space in the budget, the town will only have to cover their insurance; the grant will cover 100 percent of the first year’s salary. After that, it will cover 75 percent for the second year, 50 percent for the third year and 25 percent for the fourth.
The second grant is from the Indiana Department of Health and will finance four Narcan units, two for each squad car.
Sanders also spoke on the need for a new squad car laptop. Currently, one of the laptops does not receive service in all areas, making finding the car’s location in case of emergency potentially problematic.
The council approved the purchase of a new laptop, provided the cost does not exceed $1,500.
John Magsam, senior engineer of Jones & Henry Engineers Ltd., asked that the council turn down their prior estimate for installing new meters at the wastewater plant and submit for a requote. Magsam said that the initial $55,000 quote was considerably higher than anticipated, and he believed that they could get it down to near $20,000. The council passed a motion to do so.
In other business, the council:
• Passed new town salary and holiday ordinances.
• Passed a motion to allow Clerk-Treasurer Patricia Warner to make transfers to balance the 2019 books.
• Announced a new two-year contract for residential trash pickup. Beginning in January, the price per household for pickup will rise from $9.55 to $12.06 for the first year and $12.42 for the second.
• Heard from Sanders that the police department received 216 calls for service in November and used 227 hours from reserves.
• Introduced Rick Hurley as the new Claypool fire chief. Hurley has served the Claypool Fire Department for two years and has been in fire service for 22.
• Expressed thanks to Miller for her years of service on the council. Miller’s seat is going to Benny Stage Jr., who won the seat during the general election.
Haddad spoke on K21’s financial pledges to incorporated Kosciusko County towns like Claypool, which is to go toward projects with a focus on the health and wellbeing for each town’s inhabitants.
“We at K21 want to show that we are about all of Kosciusko, not just Warsaw and Winona Lake,” Haddad said. “We’re pledging $200,000 to show our commitment.”
Haddad continued on to say that, other than asking that it be health and safety focused, K21 is not putting heavy restrictions on the pledge; they want the funds to be used on whatever each town believes is most important.
“Use it for what is best for Claypool residents,” said Haddad. “Some towns might want safer playgrounds, redone sidewalks or pathways to schools. You could also use the money to start up new programs.”
He said that although requests can come from nonprofits, schools and churches, K21 will look to the town council to be the final authority for what projects get the green light.
There is currently no deadline for using the funds. Haddad encouraged the council to gather the people of Claypool and see what they would most like to see done.
The council also passed a new ordinance regarding parking on Main Street between Calhoun and Section Streets. Going forward, parking will no longer be business-only.
“Parking will operate on a first-come, first-served basis,” said Council President Niki Miller. “Parking will be prohibited between 4 and 6 in the morning between November and April for snow removal.”
She added that penalties for failing to move a vehicle for snow removal would be $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second and $75 plus all legal expenses for a third offense and beyond.
Town Marshal Ben Sanders spoke on several grants that the police department had received. The first, from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute, is a four-year $75,500 grant that will go toward the salary for a full-time deputy marshal, mobile radios, portable radios and bulletproof tactical vests.
For the deputy marshal position, which had recently been removed by the council to create space in the budget, the town will only have to cover their insurance; the grant will cover 100 percent of the first year’s salary. After that, it will cover 75 percent for the second year, 50 percent for the third year and 25 percent for the fourth.
The second grant is from the Indiana Department of Health and will finance four Narcan units, two for each squad car.
Sanders also spoke on the need for a new squad car laptop. Currently, one of the laptops does not receive service in all areas, making finding the car’s location in case of emergency potentially problematic.
The council approved the purchase of a new laptop, provided the cost does not exceed $1,500.
John Magsam, senior engineer of Jones & Henry Engineers Ltd., asked that the council turn down their prior estimate for installing new meters at the wastewater plant and submit for a requote. Magsam said that the initial $55,000 quote was considerably higher than anticipated, and he believed that they could get it down to near $20,000. The council passed a motion to do so.
In other business, the council:
• Passed new town salary and holiday ordinances.
• Passed a motion to allow Clerk-Treasurer Patricia Warner to make transfers to balance the 2019 books.
• Announced a new two-year contract for residential trash pickup. Beginning in January, the price per household for pickup will rise from $9.55 to $12.06 for the first year and $12.42 for the second.
• Heard from Sanders that the police department received 216 calls for service in November and used 227 hours from reserves.
• Introduced Rick Hurley as the new Claypool fire chief. Hurley has served the Claypool Fire Department for two years and has been in fire service for 22.
• Expressed thanks to Miller for her years of service on the council. Miller’s seat is going to Benny Stage Jr., who won the seat during the general election.
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